, 1887-04-16
DOG OF THE eYPsIEs.
The Approach of n Strange Footstep in
C~amp-CanIne PeculiarIties.

Inc Approach of n Strange Footstep in
CamP-CanIne PeculiarIties.
But there is something amusing in the
positive similarity in manner between
gypsy dogs and gypsy people. In sunny
days L have countless times rested by
tent doors, where the pots from the kettle
sticks kept up their humming over the
cracking fires in such a way as brought
on drowsiness speedily, and seen a hal
dozen dogs with their noses all sym-
pathetically quivering from the smoke and
sweet smelling steaming odors of cooking
food, and been startled by the facial
resemhf nee between them and the old
men and spae wives grooming near. The
dogs would appear to be half asleep. So
would the gypsies. Every few moments
an eye would open and q quick look note
that everything was as it should be. So
IL was with the gypsies. The dogs would
weave and sway back and forth as il
about to break into a whining chant. So
woul the gypsies.
Now and tnen the approach of a strange
Iootstep, some unusual movement among
the horses and mules or the r~ustling of a
bird in n near hedge, all too faint for my
own hearing, would cause one or moro of
the dogs to waken as Il from u deep sleep,
instantly march straight to where the sus-
picious sound came from and, IL every
thing was well, march straight back again
and in n momen appear to again be in
deep umbe L have seen the same
movement by gypsies hundreds of times.
But this something that tells Of q like
sense, or thought and habit If you like, in
both finds expression still more remark
ably in certain ways Of walking, in move
ments and in looks. Some of these are
~indefnable, unexplainable. But these
dogs and these people have the same
wary, hating, light movement upon their
feet. They are equally alert. They
shuttle and sway, and in the presence OF
others than their kind make unnecessary
n u~naccountable dives here and there.
The gypsy dog is seldom frisky. A trc-
mendous wagging of the tail Is the only
exception, If that may be so called. And,
too, for all you would know, they are
voiceless. | never heard q genuine gypsy
dog really bark. He is lik the bulldog
in this. There is now Il then. under
great stress of excitement, an expulsion Of
breath, a half bark and a sort of half
pant, but even this is unusual. He is ~
soft and still on his feet as a cat. He is
brave and strong, auI will take hold of q
horse or mule, or q man, Il remain hold
ing on until the necessity for the per-
formance is over. He has also O peculiarly
preoccupied air. In his case it seems to
give him so serious n demeanor that [
have often noticed proud and arrogant
dogs from the town or outlying farms up
proach the camp with the manner of pre-
determined determination strong upon
them, suddenly defer the matter and
betake themselves to speedy flight.
So, too, he is as much the guardian of
the camp and all its belongings, night and
day, as the old spae wives, of whom in
this regard 1 nave already written. Let
any prowling animal approach the camp
at night and the whole pack silently and
swiftly marshal their forces, and, what
ever the providing thing may be, it must
instantly fly or its carcass will remain.
All this is done as with n human care not
to disturb the camp. If there be human
providers, whatever their purpose, they
will suddenly find themselves surrounded
by dogs. No one is brave enough at night
to withstand SO weighty q reason to retire
as best he may or come into camp with his
determined escort to make terms with its
possessors. The discrimination of gypsy
dogs often seems Observation-Disclosures L..
Wakenan in Chicago News.